Susquehanna Brewing Company

 

 

Wait, you’re taking the 2 days before Thanksgiving off and are heading up one day and back down the next? Yeah, I’ve got time, I’ll take that ride. And so with Witz, en route to points north and west, between finger lakes to Prison City and back to the ‘cuse the long way around. But maybe stop somewhere along the way in PA, you say. I’m listening. Off 81 & 476, through a windy road suburb and industrial parkenings. It looks like this may be their business office, I’m wondering if we’re at the right place…

Yep, we are. Push down the hallway past the employee kitchen and hook a right into the tasting room. Simple show. Bar to the front, seating about the room, merch & beer to go to the far side, and brewery views to the rear.

Up front, a marble topped straight bar, wood framed corrugated curvy base, and a tiled foot box. Seating for 3 on clunky polished aluminum high chairs. Multi-door kegerator barback with glassware shelved vertically above, 4 high to the left. The top shelf holds a trophy, ribbons, hops filled mason jars, & bottles. More glassware, wine< & growls countered below. A center sled displayed; yes, the first wagon body used by C. Stegmaier. It’s like 170 years old as is pretty badass. 8 tap stainless T box tower fronting with logo handles. Cask in the corner to the right; she says they’re ‘freshies’, firkins done weekly. And a bottle/can cooler off to the far side.

Tile floors, white walls, & black rafter ceilings with blended ductwork. 5 prong filament bulb fan looking lights and drop singles caged. Flat in the right corner, one on the side wall, and one in each corner above the rear brewery windows. Framed 4x8 horizontal chalkboard on the side wall listing beer, style, ABV, IBU, and pricing for 5oz, 10oz, 16oz, pitcher & growler in alt colored chalk + flights, daily hours, happy hours, and general growler pricing. Swag shelving and cans & bottles racked on the far wall. SBC pieces, GABF & World Cup medals framed. Christmas decorations and strung holiday lighting riddled about (it is 2 days before Thanksgiving).

A trio of 2-seat hightops pushed together to accommodate a larger group, 4 short recs, and another 2 seat hightop in the corner, all with tall or short aluminum chairs. Marble bar counter on the side wall below the tap board and a lower one to the rear.

8 beers up (Goldencold, Helles Lager, 5%; Oktoberfest, Amber Lager, 6%; Hopcellerator, West Coast IPA, 7%; Toboggan, Chocolate Doppelbock, 8%; Blueberry Thrill, Blueberry Ale, 4.2%; Orange is the New Ale, Blood Orange Ale, 4.2%; Eat a Peach, Peach infused Ale, 4.2%; Strawberries & Cream, Strawberry infused Irish Cream Ale, 4.2%), and a cask offering (Peach Tea).

Goldencold was a pleasant Helles; Oktoberferst was nicely malty; Witz says the Chocolate Doppelbock is too ‘of the latex’, but I did not get that; Blueberry Thrill was blueberry, troo, but I thought the sweet spot fruit beer was the Eat a Peach. I really wanted to know about that corner cask but she talked me off it.

Interesting selection. 8 beers and 4 of them are fruit forward, and 3 of the 4 remainders are lager styles. The beers were good(ish) overall, nothing crazy but nothing sucky either. You know, I think Southampton brewed here once upon a time, or was that Lion? or both? I’m not sure. Snacks for sale; they now have cheese. The bathrooms are located off the employee kitchen. I may have been eyeballing someone’s snacks but I’m trying to be a better ‘not stealing other people’s snacks’ person. It’s a struggle. And the Alt 90’s soundtrack should be spoken of, as it was well received, thank you. Good place for the drop in.

 

Tastingroom is located in a portion of their large production facility and has the look and feel of a club house bar. Small bar area seats 4 or 5, and there are a half dozen table spread about the room. 9 assorted beers on tap. Friendly bartender. They sell mixed 6s to go... love that in a brewery.

Wonderful place. Love the brews. Throw a hell of an Octoberfest party!